Soffit clip



Aug. 7,1934. w. F. LA MORTE SOFFIT CLIP Filed Sept. 30, 1931 INVENTOR flu. BY 746 ATTORNEY Patented Aug. 7, 1934 UNITED STATES PATENT: OFFICE SOFFI'I' CLIP William F. La Morte, New York, N. Y.

Application September 30, 1931, Serial No. 565,972

7 Claims. (01. 72-109) This invention relates generally to sofllt clips and particularly to a new and improved type of clip.

jects where concrete or other material is molded or otherwise used around a beam, girder, channel, column, flange, angle iron, orother objects, it has been found advisable to supply additional reinforcement for the edges, faces, comers, etc., of said objects. Such additional reinforcement ives added strength and protection against the elements, fire, accidental knocks, etc. This is true especially of materials such as concrete, etc., which needs additional support, where there is no structural means of supporting such material.

My invention discloses a new and improved type of clip which is of simple construction, reinforces a larger proportion of concrete or other material sought to be reinforced, and is easily 20 manufactured at a nominal cost.

With these and other objects in view, my invention resides in novel structural features and characteristicshereinafter described and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which;

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an assembly of a type of clip illustrating my invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a modified form of my invention embodying an expansible feature;

Figure 3 illustrates a modification of the clip assembly shown in Figure 2;

Figure 4 illustrates the modification shown in Figure 3 in an expanded position; and

Figure 5 is a cross-section through a beam surrounded by concrete or other material illustrating a clip secured to a beam in accordance with my invention.

In Figure 1, I show a plurality of clips made of wire or other material and secured at or about their mid portions at spaced points along the wire or rod 12. I might here state that these clips may be used individually as well as collectively or in assembly, and that I do not desire to restrict myself to their use collectively or in assembly notwithstanding anything stated or shown herein to the contrary. This illustration is only a very convenient way of using the clip especially in conjunction with a tie rod as shown in this illustration.

Each of the clips 10 (as shown in Figure 1) consists of a U-shaped central or bight portion 18, legs or extensions 14, outwardly extending portions 16, loops extending from and below portions 16, and having extensions 22 adapted to be bent inwardly as at 24. The portion 18 may be In buildings or other constructions and ob-- attached or joined by welding or other means to rod 12; also portions 22 may be attached or joined by welding or other means to portions 16 at their intersection or where they cross.

This clip, when used in either assembly, collectively, or as a single unit, is adapted to be attached to a beam or other object so that the flanges of the beam or other object are engaged by portions 16 and 22. Portion 22 may be bent or otherwise engaged over such flange in the manner designated 24, in order to secure the clip to the beam or other object. Figure 5 is a good illustration of the above where a beam is used. Portions 22 may be bent as designated at 24 in Figure 1, either before or after attaching the clip or any assembly thereof to the beam or .object.

The U-shaped portion and the loops form reinforcements for the concrete adjacent the beam or other object upon which the clip or clips are attached.

Although in Figure 2 I show an expansible type of clip adapted to fit various sizes of beams or other objects, its principal object is to provide greater reinforcement. By using a loop such as 20 in this type of clip, I am able to secure reinforcement beyond the edge of the flange of the beam or other object upon which the clip or clips are fixed, and thus insure against the breaking oil of the concrete, or other material, on the comers or edges of the beam or other object. At the same time I bring the longitudinal and spreading feature one inch beyond the bottom of the flanged edge of the beam or other object. This type of clip or assembly is formed substantially the same as those disclosed in Figure 1. However, each clip is divided into two portions as shown at 26. The two rods 28, shown in Figure 2, have the clips secured thereto at spaced points with the divided portions of each clip positioned intermediate the two rods. Between the clips, are provided two tie members 30, which are welded or otherwise fastened to both rods and which hold them in their relative positions.

In the use of this type of clip or clips, the ends of each clip are moved outwardly relative to each other and pull the rods apart at the points where the clips are secured. The expanse which the separate parts of the clip or clips covers depends upon the size of the beam or other object to which they are to be attached. Except for the expansible feature and additional reinforcement afforded by these clips, they are to be used in substantially the same manner as those disclosed in Figure 1. The use of the two rods or wires 28 in this form of clip form a better reinforcement for the concrete or other material being used, particularly when in an expanded position.

Figures 3 and 4 represent a modification oi the type of clip or clip assembly shown in Figure 2. In these modifications, the clips 10, which are of the same type and substantially the same size as those shown in Figure 1, are secured to the two rods 28 between the two tie members 30 and are not expansible. Between the non-expansible clip or clips is placed an expansible clip or clips 32, similar to those shown in Figure 2, and are secured to the two rods but these expansible clips do not normally extend outwardly to the same extent as the non-expansible clips. The loops or the expansible clips are adapted to be moved outwardly until they are in line with the loops of the non-expansible clips, thereby expanding or moving the two rods apart at the points at which the portions of the expansible clips are secured, as shown in Figure 4.

Referring to my drawing, my invention may bedescribed as consisting oi a single piece 01 wire being round in cross section. which wire is bent to provide the aligned portions 16 and a pair 01 opposite loops 20 therebclow with a central portion 18 disposed in parallel relation with respect to the parts 16 and connected therewith by a perpendicular portion 14, to form a bight between said loops; the latter being aligned with and having their lower portions in the same plane as the portion 18 constituting the bight.

while I have shown and described a specific construction and assemblies thereof, it is to be understood that many changes may be made in the same without departing irom the spirit of my invention. Accordingly, the following claims are to be limited in scope only by the broadest interpretation thereoi permissible in view or the prior art.

I claim:

1. A sofiit clip assembly comprising two spaced rods, members permanently securing the rods to gether at spaced points; a plurality of clips secured to each of the rods at points spaced from the securing members, each clip comprising a bight portion secured to the rods and extending from the sides of said rods, extensions from the bight portions, outwardly extending loops iormed at the ends of the outwardly extending'portions and extensions from the loops adapted to be bent inwardly above the outwardly extending portions.

2. A sofllt clip assembly comprising two spaced rods, members permanently securing the said rods together at spaced points, a plurality of clips secured to each of said rods at points spaced from said securing members, the clips on one rod being opposite those on the other rod and connected thereto solely by means of said rods and their connecting members; each clip comprising a U-portion secured to said rod and extending from the sides of said rods, an outwardly extending portion, a loop formed from said outwardly extending portion and'an extension from said loop adapted to be bent inwardly above said outwardly extending portion.

8. A sofllt clip comprising a length of wire having a bight portion, perpendicular portions at the ends of said bight portion and continuous therewith, outwardly extending aligned portions continuous with said perpendicular portions and in, a plane parallel with said bight portion, oppositely disposed loops continuous with said aligned portions; said loops being spaced from said bight, and terminals continuous with and extending perpendicularly from said loops; said terminals being adapted to be turned inwardly over said aligned portions.

4. A sofllt clip comprising a length of wire having a centrally disposed bight portion, perpendicular portions at the ends of said bight portion and continuous therewith, outwardly extending aligned portions continuous with said perpendicular portions and in a plane parallel with said bight portion, oppositely disposed loops continuous with said aligned portions; said loops being aligned with and spaced from said bight, and terminals continuous with and extending perpendicularly from said loops inwardly thereof and crossing said aligned portions; said terminals being adapted to be turned inwardly over said aligned portions and the bight connecting the same.

5. A somt clip comprising a length of wire having a pair oi aligned portions in spaced relation, a central bight disposed intermediate said aligned portions and continuous therewith, a loop on the outer end or each or said aligned portions and below the same; the lower portions or said loops being aligned in the plane oisaid bight, and terminals extending from said loops perpendicular to the planeot said bight and adapted to be bent inwardly over said aligned portions.

6. A sofllt clipcomprising a length of wire having a central straight portion, outwardly disposed portions spaced. irom said central portion and in a plane parallel therewith, interposed perpendicular portions connecting said central portion and the outwardly disposed portions, loops on the respective outer ends of said latter parts, and terminals rising from the inner sides of said loops perpendicular to said central straight portion and adapted to be bent inwardly over the same.

7. A soflit clip assembly including a pair of spaced wires, non-expansible soflit clips bridging said wires and secured thereto, and expansible soilit clips arranged alternately with said nonexpansible soflit clips and secured to said wires. 

